Patent AU-2010251712-A1 (AU)
Title: Method and plant for the thermal treatment of organic matter in order to produce charcoal or char
Inventor: ALVARO LUCIO
IPC: C10L5/44
Filed: 2010-05-20
Abstract: The organic matter carbonization process is based on thermal treatment at high temperatures, under a controlled atmosphere, if possible in the absence of oxygen. The organic matter carbonization theory was expounded in this text, with emphasis on the thermodynamic aspects. It is shown in this exposition the important misfit between the endothermic and the exothermic carbonization stages, which hinders the use of the energy emitted during the exothermic stage by the brick kilns. Following there is a summary of the carbonization technique actual stage. The present invention relates to a method and plant for the thermal treatment of organic matter comprising independent reactors for the drying and pyrolysis of organic matter, and an independent reactor for the charcoal cooling. In this method the volatile products - non condensable gases and condensable pyrolytic vapors - are burned in an independent combustion chamber in order to supply the energy demanded by the process. In this way wood is not burned, and polluting substances are not emitted to the atmosphere. The method proposed by the present invention allows a precise control of the process in order to obtain the specified charcoal fixed carbon content; and a higher gravimetric yield, which gives an increase of the forest wood, either native or cultivated. In the independent pyrolysis and drying reactors proposed by the present invention, exiting flue gases from an external combustion chamber are driven to the drying reactor where the wood onto roll on buckets are heated and dried. Fuel gases emitted by the carbonizing wood are burned in the combustion chamber as an energy source. Inside the combustion chamber is placed a heat exchanger with the aim to reheat the pyrolytic gases. After reheated, these gases return to the carbonizing reactor in order to supply energy for the endothermic carbonizing step. The aim of this technique is to avoid the mixing of the fuel gases with the flue gases generated inside the combustion chamber, and to precisely control the carbonizing temperature. The present invention allows the production of intermediate products between wet wood and charcoal by halting the carbonization process at the desired stage in order to obtain anhydrous wood, char or, or high volatile content charcoal. The basic concepts of the process are: 1 - Utilization of the emitted gases by the carbonizing wood as an energy source. 2 - The stages of wood drying, wood pyrolysis and charcoal cooling are performed in independent reactors, inside which only one of these stages occurs. 3 - Energy supply during the carbonizing endothermic stage of the pyrolysis by the gases emitted during this stage after reheated in a heat exchanger. Basically the present invention comprises the following equipments: 1 — Reaction chambers inside which the process stages are performed. 2 — An external combustion chamber. 3- A heat exchanger inside said combustion chamber. 4 - A set of pipes. 5 - A set of fans. 6 - A loading system comprising roll on buckets.